The 220-kV Thap Cham transformer station is pictured in this file photo. The boom in solar power projects puts pressure on transmission lines in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces – PHOTO: EVN

HCMC – The development of transformer stations and power transmission lines has not matched the recent boom in solar power projects, putting power transmission lines under pressure.

Statistics released by Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) on November 4 indicated that the power capacity of the renewable power projects approved in the energy development plans of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces totaled 4,600 megawatts (MW). To date, 41 power plants, with a total capacity of 2,140 MW, have been commissioned.

Since solar power facilities started operations, EVN has enhanced its investment in transmission line projects in the two provinces.

Many new transformer station and transmission line projects have been put into service, including a project to increase the capacity of the 220-kV Thap Cham transformer station, install a second transformer at the 220-kV Ham Tan station and build the 220-kV Phan Ri and Ninh Phuoc stations and transmission lines.

The construction of these projects is reportedly on schedule and even finishes ahead of time, easing the burden on the national grid.

In October, the National Power Transmission Corporation, under EVN, completed the project to raise the capacity of the 220-kV Thap Cham station, one year ahead of schedule, and the construction of the second transformer at the 220-kV Ham Tan station was completed two months earlier than planned.

The development of these transformer station and transmission line projects was set to match the schedule of solar and wind power plants, approved in August last year. However, from August to December 2018, another renewable power facility was added to the energy development plan, piling pressure on some transmission lines and transformer stations in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces.

To reduce this pressure and ensure that renewable energy projects in the two provinces operate at full capacity next year, EVN proposed adjusting the project to raise the capacity of the 220-kV Phuoc Thai transformer station and the project to upgrade the Vinh Hao station as well as adding them to the energy development plan.